Prosecutor Timothy Ashmole said the defendant was followed by police in Kidsgrove at 9.40am on December 1.

Mr Ashmole said: “He was disqualified and had no insurance. He went down country lanes and residential streets. His car stopped and the police car was rammed. His top speed was 54mph.”

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But the defendant turned into a cul de sac and was arrested. He was also carrying a class B drug.

While on bail, on February 2, the defendant and his partner argued after drinking.

Mr Ashmole said: “His partner was fed up with him drinking vodka and he became verbally abusive to her. He threw a glass tumbler. She dodged it. She went upstairs followed by her friend. They were joined by the defendant. He pushed his partner’s friend downstairs backwards.”

The victim suffered a fractured wrist and cuts to her forehead and nose.

Cartlidge, of Burnaby Road, Sandyford, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, dangerous driving, driving without insurance, possession of a class B drug, inflicting grievous bodily harm, and criminal damage. His plea to the assault was on a basis he pushed out at the victim but did not intend for her to fall down the stairs.

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Andrew Turnock, mitigating, said the driving incident happened in a quite country lane when traffic was light and it was of a short duration.

Mr Turnock said: “He drove in the manner he did because he was overtaken by panic as he knew he should not have been driving because he was disqualified.”

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He added that the assault involved a single push. Mr Turnock said: “It was reckless. It was a push, not intending to cause any fall down the stairs. It was on the spur of the moment.”